psych ch2

Question 1

This phenomenon is the brain’s ability to change, especially during childhood, by reorganizing after damage or by building new pathways based on experience.

Answer 1

plasticity

Question 2

When is neural plasticity the strongest?

Answer 2

during childhood

Question 3

What helps make the human brain unique compared to other species?

Answer 3

plasticity

Question 4

In neural processing, _____ is a brief resting pause that occurs after a neuron has fired.

Answer 4

the refractory period

Question 5

What has occurred when a neuron either fires or does not fire?

Answer 5

all-or-none response

Question 6

Information processing in the body involves neurons communicating with each other at their:

Answer 6

synapses.

Question 7

In stressful situations, the sympathetic nervous system _____ glucose (blood sugar) levels and _____ the pupils of the eyes.

Answer 7

raises; dilates

Question 8

A medical equipment company is thinking of expanding by developing lie detection machines, which measure perspiration, cardiovascular, and respiration changes. On which system should its research focus?

Answer 8

the sympathetic nervous system

Question 9

Which analogy might one use when trying to describe the function of the somatic nervous system to a middle-school child?

Answer 9

It functions like a remote control that moves a robotic arm.

Question 10

This endocrine gland secretes many different hormones, some of which affect other glands.

Answer 10

pituitary gland

Question 11

Derek engages in extreme sports and often participates in order to feel the rush that is associated with the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine. This rush comes from the:

Answer 11

adrenal glands.

Question 12

What project is mapping long-distance brain fiber connections in search of “what makes every person different from all others”?

Answer 12

the Human Connectome Project

Question 13

The _____ of the cerebral cortex are not involved in primary motor or sensory functions; rather, they are involved in learning, remembering, thinking, and speaking.

Answer 13

association areas

Question 14

Dr. Jones is a neurosurgeon working with patients who have major epileptic seizures. What part of the brain might Dr. Jones sever to help reduce his patients’ seizures?

Answer 14

the corpus callosum

Question 15

Tom was involved in a bar fight and sustained a blow to the back of his head from a beer bottle. He was dazed and could not see for about 2 minutes. Which lobe was affected?

Answer 15

occipital

Question 16

Ezra went to see his doctor with complaints of erectile disorder (ED). His doctor has him participate in a sleep disorder study to determine the cause of his ED. The cause of his ED was determined to be psychological. Why?

Answer 16

because Ezra had a morning erection

Question 17

The distinction between manifest content and latent content is central to _____ theory of dreams.

Answer 17

Sigmund Freud’s wish-fulfillment

Question 18

Tim’s roommate fell asleep about 25 minutes ago. Now Tim needs to awaken him so that they can get to a party on time. Tim’s roommate is sleeptalking about his girlfriend’s cat. Tim tries multiple ways to wake his roommate but is unsuccessful. In which stage of sleep was he?

Answer 18

NREM-3 sleep

Question 19

Which of the following is a neural change that continues throughout life?

Answer 19

plasticity

Question 20

Which disease may be affected by the breakdown of the cells that produce the neurotransmitter acetylcholine?

Answer 20

Alzheimer’s disease

Question 21

George suffers from insomnia. This is likely related to an undersupply of which neurotransmitter?

Answer 21

GABA

Question 22

The _____ nervous system connects the CNS to the rest of the body.

Answer 22

peripheral

Question 23

In terms of heartbeat, digestion, and glandular functioning, the body is a fairly well-oiled machine that works even when asleep. This is possible because of the:

Answer 23

autonomic nervous system.

Question 24

The CORRECT order of the feedback system that reveals the intimate connection of the nervous and endocrine systems is:

Answer 24

brain, pituitary, other glands, hormones, brain.

Question 25

John is a firefighter who wakes up in the middle of the night to the sound of an alarm. It is likely that his _____ have released epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Answer 25

adrenal glands

Question 26

Where is the pituitary gland located?

Answer 26

brain

Question 27

Which part of the brain controls heartbeat and breathing?

Answer 27

the medulla

Question 28

A positron emission tomography (PET) scan depicts brain activity by detecting:

Answer 28

where radioactive forms of glucose are located during a given task.

Question 29

Which of the following types of psychologists study the link between biological and psychological processes.

Answer 29

cognitive neuroscience

Question 30

A person’s body is kept roughly in tune with the 24-hour cycle of day and night through this biological clock called the _____ rhythm.

Answer 30

circadian

Question 31

This sleep disorder is characterized by high arousal and an appearance of fear. It occurs during NREM-3 sleep within 2 to 3 hours of falling asleep.

Answer 31

night terrors

Question 32

_____ differ from one another, but they all consist of a cell body and its branching fibers.

Answer 32

Neurons

Question 33

After an action potential has occurred, subsequent action potentials cannot occur until _____ happens.

Answer 33

the refractory period

Question 34

Marie is babysitting her 3-year-old niece for the first time. While Marie’s back is turned, her niece touches her index finger to the pan Marie just took out of the oven. Her niece pulls her finger away quickly and a few seconds later begins to scream. Why is her screaming delayed in comparison with pulling away her finger?

Answer 34

The hand-withdrawal reflex involves only the spinal cord, so it takes time before the information about pain reaches the brain.

Question 35

While listening to operatic solos, musicians process the lyrics and the tunes in separate brain areas. This MOST clearly illustrates the functioning of different:

Answer 35

neural networks.

Question 36

If the top of the spinal cord is severed, a person will:

Answer 36

exhibit a knee-jerk reflex response without feeling the tap.

Question 37

If one were to compare the endocrine system and the body’s electrochemical information system in terms of speed, one might call the former a _____ and the latter a _____.

Answer 37

tortoise; hare

Question 38

The knee-jerk response is an example of a(n):

Answer 38

reflex.

Question 39

What is the oldest part and central core of the brain?

Answer 39

the brainstem

Question 40

The nerve network running through the brainstem and into the thalamus is called the:

Answer 40

reticular formation.